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Lakeland Police fire woman at center of sex scandal

Eric Glasser, WTSP 2:49 p.m. EDT September 11, 2013

Susan Eberle (center) has reluctantly become the face of the sex scandal rocking the Lakeland Police department. With her husband Ed (left) clutching her hand for support, Eberle decided to go public, announcing through her attorney (right) that they had filed charges with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Florida Commission on Human rights.(Photo: WTSP)

"As of today, she has been terminated," said Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack.

The offense?

"Conduct unbecoming, untruthfulness, and required conduct and cooperation during an investigation for case 12-025," said Womack.

That was thecase that started it all.

It involved an allegation of sex in an abandoned church between Eberle and a now-former officer who has since quit the force.

Womack concluded Eberle tried to cover it up, lied, and when faced with termination, went public with what has turned out to be a far more widespread embarrassment.

"This has been a very sad chapter for the Lakeland Police Department," said Chief Womack.

"This is just another hit, you know? She was down. This is just another kick in the ribs," saidDavid Linesch, Eberle's attorney.

Linesch,who sat listening at the back of the room during the hearing, called it shameful.Eberle, he said, was described as exceptionally cooperative in the State Attorney'sinvestigative report which brought he scandal to light.

He repeated Eberlehad beenthe victim of a hostile work environment, and threatened to sue.

"If need be, I will litigate this to the very end. I think a jury would be extremely sympathetic to Sue's claims and I think they would reward her significant damages," said Linesch.

In addition to Eberle being dismissed, 10 Lakeland officers have lost their jobs in the wake of the scandal as well as one firefighter.SevenLakeland officers have received discipline, reprimands and/or counseling.Five others were implicated, but those allegations were never substantiated.

"I believe that the disciplinary decisions have been appropriate. I believe they've been fair. I believe they've been consistent. And I believe we are now closing this particular chapter," Womack told the civilian panel reviewing the case.